Pages

Click to Visit These Popular Posts

07 May, 2011

French Country Outdoor Living...and...A French Inspired Tablescape

The time I spent living in France left me with some wonderful memories…especially those long afternoons and evenings spent with friends, lingering over beautifully prepared meals served in their gardens. So when I saw the latest issue of the French online magazine Campagne Décoration, I was thrilled to see some lovely outdoor spaces! This old farmhouse really speaks to me! It reminds me of the home of a dear friend in France.

I love this one! Doesn’t it looks as though Renoir and his friends are just out of sight? What a beautiful setting…lunch under the dappled lighting of willow trees! This is the garden of the summer residence of the French author Alfred de Musset.

I love the textures inthis photo! Nothing adds to the ambiance of a French garden like old stone walls and the ornate curves of a vintage garden bench! What a nice place to rest after a little gardening.

Oooh…but this one looks so much more comfortable! Could you sit and read for hours on thiswrought iron banquette? I love the fabrics on the cushions!

What a wonderful little space for a cup of morning coffee and a croissant! I want that table with the curvy French legs and that copper lantern!

You don’t have to be in the country to have a picnic! How about enjoying some time along the Seine River in Paris? On my list of things to do when my grandson and I are in Paris in a few weeks is having a pastry while sitting along the quai of the Seine!

And here’s my favorite…the courtyard of an ancient farmhouse in Provence where I spent a week during my retirement trip to France! (Click here to see more!) Oh how I would love to be able to recreate something like this at my house! But…I don’t have those stone walls, creeping vines and wonderful Provençal blue shutters! Sigh!

Then I sawthis one! Maybe I can’t recreate the garden, but I can create my version of this tablescape! Just maybe I can transform my patio into a little corner of France!

And voilà…here it is! I had to take a few liberties based on what was available, but I think I have captured the essence of it. I actually already had most of what I needed, so I only had to do a little Goodwill hunting. You may recognize the placemats and the Bordallo cabbage plates from aspring tablescape that I did two years ago. Hmmm...note to self...check into buying some French bistro chairs.

The glasses came from the clearance aisle at Home Goods…$3.00 each…and the napkins were a GW find…6 of them for $2.50! The cheese plates are from Crate & Barrel and were also a thrifting find…only $2.00! I pulled out some of my favorite old silverplate and set the table à la française...French style...with the tines of the forks and the bowls of the spoons pointing down. The monogram or family crest is customarily located on the back of the flatware in France.

Their centerpiece used fresh figs…nowhere to be found for me…so I used limes and a bouquet of fresh flowers from the grocery store! In the background, you can see that my shabby picnic basket planter is back again this year! I’ll have more about that later! Just add a few candles for ambiance...
(Hint: For a quick and easy color change, I wrapped mine in matching scrapbooking paper. Of course, be careful as you would any time you use candles.)

…and there you have it…my French inspired tablescape! My sister is coming over later today, so I think we will have lunch on the patio and enjoy the wonderful weather we have been having!

Our co-host Miss Kitty, who is the only mother on our staff (other than moi, of course), would also like to wish a wonderful Mother’s Day to each of you! May your day be filled with family, friends and fabulous food…that you didn't have to cook!

Debbie, you know this post is making my heart sing. Alfresco dining is always at the top of my list. In fact we are off to one of our favorite Mexican restaurants today for a little alfresco lunch. ;-)Your setting is lovely - a perfect spot for you and your sister to relax and enjoy a good visit. Happy Mother's Day! ~ SarahFYII picked up more cabbage plates at Tuesday Morning this week. ;-)

These pictures are just beautiful, Debbie...they make me want to set a table outside myself {if it were warmer!}. Your table looks every bit as French as the rest, I do hope you have a wonderful lunch here with your sister!

Hi Debbie...this post is great. I totally love the daybed with the plaid cushions. I have the exact same wrought iron outdoor chairs as you. I went to a rectangular table last year to seat more people and I have to say I miss my round table. I am cleaning my back porch on and off today. Just got finished cleaning the blinds...what a job! Thanks for sharing...if you haven't entered my giveaway stop by my blog. Happy weekend...~Ann

Debbie, stunning shots! I would love to live that lifestyle as well! Beautiful! Great job on the table! The little ceramic peas reminded me of a salt and pepper set that Pier One has, looks pretty on that table.

Debbie, Great inspiration photos and I love the one you did on your patio. Of course the Bordallo cabbage plates look fab with the lavender table linens.Whatever did we do before cabbage plates? lol And how great are those square cheese and grapes plates? Love them.I hope you have a great Mother's Day with your family.Hugs, Babs As you see, I'm behind on my comments.too. We finally finished staining the deck. Now I just have to re-arrange everything.Hugs.

Your gorgeous photos of alfresco dining reminds me of dinners I've enjoyed in California's wine country, which appears to look so much like Provence.Your alfresco tablescape is lovely.Happy Mother's day to you and the lovely Miss Kitty.

Your friend had to have enjoyed dining with you using your pretty tablescape. I love how you used a footed compote and put a flower vase inside of it for height. I need to remember that trick. I didn't know that the french put the fork and spoon down on the table. Wonder why??

Oh my, what beautiful dining! Love your lavender tablescape, Debbie! The photo of Alfred de Musset's garden is absolutely breathless! What a dreamy setting for a meal or a cup of tea/coffee! Thanks for sharing your stunning photos and have a wonderful week.

Hi Debbie! You have created your own little French corner perfectly well. Looks lovely to me. You are so fortunate to have spent so much time living in France and have an upfront and personal perspective of what the countryside looks like.

I would love for you to come link up your post at my "Encouragement is Contagious!" linky party! And... please link up some of your other favorites from blogs you love! Then, those bloggers will also get lots of unexpected, encouraging comments!

Debbie,You did a wonderful job creating your alfresco French table. You have better thrift stores than we do. Very pretty. I agree with you the French bistro chairs are it. They just make the setting perfect!Thanks for linking this up!Sherry

If you could find room to squeeze me into your luggage, I would appreciate it...of course I weigh a lot so you may want to invest in a dolley too. LOLOLOL!!! Love these pics and I do love your tablescape as well, gorgeous!

Mary Janes Farm

flea market decor

DIY Lifestyle

Country Living

My Country Living Inspired Pumpkins were featured!

WOMAN'S WORLD

My "Just Tie It" Fabric Wreath was featured!

woman's world

My Snowman Tablescape was featured!

DISCLAIMER : While every effort has been made to insure the accuracy and effectiveness of the information displayed on this website, Confessions of a Plate Addict makes no guarantee as to the procedures and information contained here. The publisher will not be held liable for direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages in connection with or arising from the use of the information displayed on Confessions of a Plate Addict. This website is not intended to substitute the advice of a professional.

ALL THE PHOTOS AND TEXT ON THIS BLOG ARE COPYRIGHT PROTECTED. You may share one or two photos from this blog if linked back to the original posts and for the purpose of featuring my work. Please let me know when you have done so. You may not copy entire articles and posts even if you link back to me. You may notify me at confessionsofaplateaddict@yahoo.com. Please do not borrow the pictures to sell your own goods. Thank you!All original content copyright Confessions of a Plate Addict, 2008-2018.